KOTA BHARU – Dato Wee Hong Seng, Mayor of Kuching South, shared Kuching’s unique journey as Malaysia’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy at the Festival Cita Rasa Warisan di Pantai Timur held in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
Dato Wee was invited as a distinguished panelist in the session titled The Road to UNESCO – Kota Bharu as a Creative City of Gastronomy, where he presented how Kuching transformed its cultural heritage, gastronomy, and creative economy since receiving UNESCO recognition in 2021.
According to him, the recognition went beyond international prestige. He stressed that being recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy is not the end, but the beginning of a greater responsibility. “Our responsibility is to empower communities, preserve heritage recipes, strengthen food supply chains, and ensure no one is left behind,” he said.
Dato Wee highlighted Kuching’s four-year action plan that engages hawkers, youth, artisans, and tourism players. The initiatives include integrating gastronomy branding into Visit Malaysia campaigns and hosting culinary exchanges with international partners. These efforts not only attracted over one million visitors annually during food festivals but also generated significant economic opportunities for local communities. He also emphasized Kuching’s alignment with global cultural agendas, including the Braga Manifesto and Mondiacult 2025, ensuring that local strategies contribute to international cultural goals.
Youth engagement remains central in Kuching’s model. Training young entrepreneurs in digital marketing, food safety, and heritage recipe documentation ensures traditional cuisines are preserved while preparing the next generation to lead the creative economy. Dato Wee said Kuching’s inclusive and sustainable approach could serve as a model for Kota Bharu and other Malaysian cities seeking to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. “Kota Bharu’s ambition is an opportunity for Malaysia to highlight our diverse culinary heritage on a global stage. Together, we can build a stronger national ecosystem for culture-based innovation and sustainable tourism,” he added.
Looking ahead, Dato Wee announced Kuching’s plan to bid for the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy Conference in 2026. If successful, Malaysia would host representatives from 63 global cities, positioning the nation as a leader in cultural diplomacy, creative economy development, and sustainable urban strategies. – MBKS
